Deal Alert: US Cities to China From $478 Round-Trip

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.

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Airfare deals are typically only available on limited dates. We recommend you use Google Flights to find dates to fly, then book through an online travel agency, such as Orbitz or Expedia, which allows you to cancel flights without penalty by 11pm Eastern Time within one day of booking. However, if you're using The Platinum Card® from American Express, you'll need to book directly with the airline or through Amex Travel portal to get 5x MR points. Remember: Fares may disappear quickly, so book right away and take advantage of Orbitz or Expedia's courtesy cancellation if you're unable to get the time away from work or family.

We've been seeing a lot of deals to Europe in the last week or two, but today the full service carriers are fighting it out over China, and the options include some mid-sized US departure cities that we don't often see as part of airfare sales. You can find flights from cities such as Boston (BOS), San Diego (SAN), Las Vegas (LAS), Seattle (SEA) and Chicago (ORD) to both Beijing (PEK) and Shanghai (PVG) starting as low as $478 round-trip.

You'll find lots of availability all through the fall and early winter from September to December on all three of the major legacy carriers — American, Delta and United. You don't need any tricks to get these prices, so just use Google Flights to find the dates you want and then book on Orbitz, Expedia or directly with the airline itself.

Since these are international trips on full service carriers, you'll get your first checked bag free and even a complimentary meal during the flight. Remember, unless you're eligible for visa free transit — and on these itineraries you likely won't be — you'll need a visa to visit China. TPG recommends using a third-party service like Allied Passport & Visa to simplify what can be a complex process. Mention The Points Guy on your order form to get a $5 discount just for TPG readers.

Airlines: American Airlines, Delta Airlines, United Airlines
Routes: BOS/SEA/LAS/SAN/ORD to PEK/PVG
Cost: $478+ round-trip in economy
Dates: September-December 2017
Booking Link: Orbitz or Expedia
Pay With: The Platinum Card from American Express (5x on airfare), Chase Sapphire Reserve, Citi Prestige Card (5x on airfare) or Chase Sapphire Preferred (2x on travel)

Here are a few examples of what you can book:

Boston (BOS) to Beijing, China (PEK) on Delta for $478 round-trip via Orbitz:

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Seattle (SEA) to Shanghai, China (PVG) nonstop on Delta for $478 round-trip via Orbitz:

Las Vegas (LAS) to Beijing (PEK) on United for $479 round-trip via Orbitz:

Chicago (ORD) to Beijing (PEK) nonstop on American for $528 round-trip via Orbitz:

San Diego (SAN) to Beijing (PEK) on United for $552 round-trip via Orbitz:

Maximize Your Purchase

Don't forget to use a credit card that earns additional points on airfare purchases, such as the American Express Platinum Card (5x on flights booked directly with airlines or American Express Travel), Chase Sapphire Reserve, or Citi Prestige (5x on airfare) or the Chase Sapphire Preferred (2x on all travel purchases). Check out this post for more on maximizing airfare purchases.

If you're able to score one of these tickets, please share the good news in the comments below!

H/T: The Flight Deal